Planning a Quiet Day

The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus taking time off to be still and pray. Quiet days are allow for time and space to keep our relationship with God fine-tuned. Quiet days are also good for forming relationships between people across the diocese, people who might not have known one another before and who will be meeting Jesus in conversation together as they walk through Meeting Jesus.

Questions to Consider in Planning Your Quiet Day

Quiet Day Logistics:

Who is running your Quiet Day? Will you use diocesan staff or invite another person to guide participants through the day?

Where will you hold your Quiet Day? Is there enough space for everyone?

Weather. How will you notify participants if there are dangerous weather conditions?

How much will participation cost? Will there be a registration fee, if only to cover refreshments and lunch?

How will you notify your diocese about the Quiet Day? What is your communications plan? If doing Meeting Jesus during Lent, plan to advertise before Christmas!

Hospitality:

Is your meeting place handicap accessible?

Is there clear signage? Consider this to be an evangelism tool and plan for newcomers.

Have you made plans for light breakfast/coffee and lunch? How will you accommodate food allergies?

Have you sent clear instructions to attendees about how to find you, and where they can park?

Quiet Day Content:

We have created a sample schedule you can use or create your own.

You can find a sample curriculum for the day here, or modify it or make your own.

This offering has been designed and produced by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (www.ssje.org), a religious order for men in the Episcopal Church, and by the Center for the Ministry of Teaching of the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia (www.vts.edu/cmt).